Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$90,000 vs $124,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$98,901 vs $76,543
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$87,738 vs $67,190
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $124,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,300 | $95,480▲ | -$26,180 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,200 | $158,720▲ | -$43,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,000 | $198,400▲ | -$54,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $98,901▲ | $76,543 | +$22,358 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,842 | $108,847▲ | -$29,005 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,738▲ | $67,190 | +$20,548 |
| Total Employment | 12,800 | 33,600 | -20,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $34,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $124,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($98,901 vs $76,543 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% vs 5%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.